Finnish Education Worldwide

Finnish Education in Panama

Panama's international school market already offers American, British and IB curricula. Finland's clearest footprint so far is a coding curriculum piloted remotely in two Panama City schools.

In brief

Code School Finland, a Finnish education company, partnered with Panama's Knowledge Group to deliver a technology and coding curriculum built on Finnish educational principles.
Two international schools in Panama City piloted the programme, with Code School Finland trainers delivering teacher upskilling remotely rather than in person.
Teachers reported the curriculum and materials were easy to use, and students showed improved coding skills alongside more positive attitudes towards coding.
Panama's broader international school market is dominated by American, British and IB curricula, so a Finnish-pedagogy option would differentiate mainly on teaching method rather than exam board.

A Finnish designed coding curriculum piloted in Panama City

Rather than opening a branded school, Finland's presence in Panama has come through subject specific curriculum delivery. Code School Finland partnered with local group Knowledge Group to bring a coding curriculum, built on Finnish pedagogical principles, into two Panama City international schools. Trainers delivered the teacher upskilling remotely online, without needing an in-country training team, and schools reported that students made real progress in both coding ability and attitude towards the subject.

Panama's wider international school market

Panama has an established international school sector serving expat and local families, with schools such as the Metropolitan School of Panama, King's College Panama and the International School of Panama offering IB, British and American pathways respectively, most delivering education entirely in English. A Finnish-pedagogy option would sit alongside these as a different teaching method rather than a new exam board.

What a fuller Finnish-pedagogy model could add

The coding pilot shows that Finnish designed content can be delivered into Panama City classrooms without requiring a dedicated Finnish school. Different Finnish education providers work in different ways, some through subject specific curricula like this coding pilot, others through whole school affiliation covering how K-5 classrooms are run day to day.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a full Finnish curriculum school in Panama?

Not currently known. Finland's clearest activity in Panama so far is a coding curriculum pilot in two Panama City international schools, not a whole school Finnish curriculum programme.

How was the Finnish coding curriculum delivered to Panama City schools?

Code School Finland trainers upskilled local teachers remotely online, rather than travelling to Panama in person, and teachers then delivered the curriculum in their own classrooms.

What curricula do most international schools in Panama follow?

Most follow American, British or IB pathways, with English as the main language of instruction, alongside a smaller number of bilingual and German curriculum schools.

Bring Finnish pedagogy to your school

OPPI affiliates a selective cohort of schools each year for its K-5 Finnish-pedagogy programme, backed by Education Finland. Tell us about your school and our team will reach out.

Backed by Education Finland. Over 20 schools have already affiliated, including DPS, Radcliffe and Sanctus. Places in each cohort are limited.

Apply to the affiliation cohort →